Last year's market at Court Square Park.

Saturday, June 9, marks the opening day of the 2012 Helena Farmers Market. This year the market will be launching several exciting updates and additions. Last year, Main Street Helena received two grants on behalf of the market: a $39,215 USDA Farmers Market Promotion Grant and a $6,000 Arkansas Community Foundation Grant. With this support Main Street Helena has hired a part-time market manager who will provide more robust program support and leadership. Additionally, the market has worked with Thrive through their Design Measures program to develop new signage and marketing materials to expand the market’s reach.

Potentially the most impactful improvement to the market will be the addition of equipment necessary to accept EBT and SNAP benefits. Market leadership is developing a token system that will allow residents receiving benefits to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from market vendors. This development will significantly expand healthy eating options for downtown residents, with the closest grocery store located almost two miles from downtown.  

Date & Time: Monday, April 9, 2012; 5:30 pm

Location: Helena Enterpreneur Center,  411B Ohio Street

Description: The quarterly meeting of the Economic Development Goal Team.

New HEC Office Under Construction

Terrance Clark and Will Staley, Co-Directors of the Helena Entrepreneur Center (HEC), have had a busy 2011. To date, HEC has conducted three 10-week seminars with 16 participants. Participants include Shelley Haynes King and Daniel Strickland. Shelly has developed a specialty sanding tool and Daniel is interested in running a local bed and breakfast. Their latest round of classes began January 26^th; this class is their largest yet with 15 participants enrolled.

Additionally, Terrance has been working with Phillips Community College to oversee the construction of the program’s new 3,500 square foot office space on Ohio St. The space is one of the many benefits provided to HEC clients. Construction should be complete by mid-February, so look for a ribbon cutting announcement coming soon.

For more information about the Helena Entrepreneur Center, please visit: www.helenastartup.org.

Date & Time: Friday, July 29, 2011; 12:00 pm

Location: Chamber of Commerce

Description: The quarterly meeting of the Economic Development Goal Team led by Ellis Bruce and Tyrone Stayton.

Economic Development Goal Team Meeting Minutes for 7.29.2011 (.pdf)

Date & Time: Monday, March 28, 2011; 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Location: Chamber of Commerce

Description: The quarterly meeting of the Economic Development Goal Team led by Ellis Bruce and new co-chair Tyrone Stayton.

Meeting Minutes for 3.28.2011 (pdf)

The Delta Bridge Project, a collaboration of Phillips County organizations, has awarded a $186,000 grant for a business incubator in Helena-West Helena. The money will be used to renovate, equip and staff a 9,100-square-foot facility in a downtown building owned by Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas. A major goal of the incubator is to create at least eight viable businesses in the first three years of its operation.

Helena Business Boosted by Grant (.pdf)

The latest Jobs and Economic Development Goal Team meeting was Monday, November 15th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm at the Chamber of Commerce.

Meeting Agenda with Notes (.pdf)

“The last blues riffs from B.B. King’s beloved Lucille have long since faded into the murky waters of the Mississippi River, but officials and business owners in this hardscrabble Arkansas Delta town are still celebrating the 25th annual Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival with full cheer.”

Blues Festival has Helena Singing (.pdf)

“The 25th Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival provided new experiences even for those who have attended many times.”

25th Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival (.pdf)